Loose sheet binder



1962 R. c. FITZGERALD 3,048,178

LOOSE SHEET BINDER Filed Aug. 5, 1960 I IM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IHHHHHI INVENTOR.

ield A'r'To RNEK Aug. 7, 1962 R. c. FITZGERALD 3,048,173

LOOSE SHEET BINDER Filed Aug. 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JZZ W; 5

T m L i L L ii g Z4 INVENTOR.

Hume C 7/72 wo/a amid United States Patent ce 3,048,178 LUQSE SHEET BWDER Russell Charles Fitzgerald, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Master-Qraft Corporation, Kalamazoo, Mich. Filed Aug. 5, 1960, Ser. No. 47,733 11 tllaims. (Ql. 1129-44) This invention relates to loose sheet binders or holders.

The main objects of this invention are,

First, to provide a loose sheet binder or holder of large capacity in which the sheets may be readily positioned to expose either the inner or outer side thereof, and all of the sheets may be quickly and easily adjusted to expose either side thereof and when so positioned lie flat.

Second, to provide a loose sheet binder or holder which may be quickly and easily manipulated to permit the insertion or removal of any particular sheet or sheets or the insertion of any sheets at the desired position between other sheets.

Third, to provide a loose sheet holder or binder having these advantages which is relatively compact.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The in vention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary inside view of a binder embodying my invention open and with sheets conventionally shown therein.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view with one of the covers shown in partially open position by full lines and in fully open position by dotted lines, taken on a line corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. 1, a portion of the retaining means for the post clutch assembly being omitted, portions of the post clutch means being partially broken away and shown in longitudinal section.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 4 with the clutch means in released position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6 of FIG. 1, the sheet body being shown partially broken away and in section.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the binder closed.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated the parts are proportioned to bind record sheets such for example as meter record sheets. The structure illustrated comprises a back member 1 provided with forwardly projecting flanges 2 and 3 on its side edges terminating in hinge knuckles 4 receiving the pintles 5 for the covers 6 which are provided with knuckle members 7 disposed in interlapping relation to the knuckle members 4 of the back member. The back member is formed as a sheet metal stamping and, in the embodiment illustrated, is provided with a facing or covering 8. The post bar 9 is provided with a hinge member it? which is secured to the inner side of the flange 3 of the back member. This post bar is provided with laterally spaced holes 11 adapted to receive the posts 12 which are outwardly curved or bowed and are connected at their inner ends by the reach 13 integral therewith disposed on the inner side of the post bar 9, see FIG. 6. The posts are releasably supported on and releasably secured to the post bar by means of the retaining members 14 which are pivoted at 15 so that they may be swung outwardly to release the posts or swung inwardly into post supporting and retaining position, as shown in FIG. 6. Stop members 16 are mounted on the inner side of the back member to limit the inward swinging move- 3,048,178 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 ment of the post bar. The posts are preferably formed of resiliently springable wire.

To secure the posts in closed position, the back is provided with clutch means with which the ends of the posts may be engaged by merely pressing the ends of the post into the clutch means, and this clutch means is provided with means whereby both posts may be simultaneously released.

In this embodiment the clutch means comprises the bar-like aligned intermediate and end clutch members 17 and 18, that is, these clutch members are disposed end to end as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The clutch members are springably connected by means of the blade springs 19 which are secured to adjacent ends of the end and intermediate clutch members as by the rivets 20. The clutch members are held in alignment by the upwardly facing channel member 21, which is secured to the underside of the intermediate clutch member by the rivets 2d engaging the same with the ends of this member 21 overlapping the ends of the end clutch members. These clutch members are urged yieldingly upward by springs 22 disposed between the end clutch members and the back member. These springs yieldingly urge the outer edge of the end clutch members against the overhanging portions 23 of the brackets 24, which are disposed at the ends of the clutch members 18 to longitudinally position the same and also, as stated, to limit the upward movement. These springs yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly to close the clutch jaws 25, see FIG. 4.

This clutch assembly is, in the embodiment illustrated, held against the inner side of the second flange of the back member by means of the retaining member 26 which is secured to the inner side of the back member at 27 and has laterally spaced flange-like portions 28 overhanging the clutch members. These overhanging portions are provided with post receiving holes 29 aligned with the clutch jaws. The flanges 28 are spaced to provide a finger opening 39 desirably provided with a finger piece 31. The main function of this finger piece is to indicate the engagement of the intermediate clutch member to release the posts. The blade spring members 19 are provided with holes 32 aligned with the clutch jaws. With this arrangement or parts the sheets are threaded upon the posts which are curved so that the sheets may be readily swung from one cover to the other, thereby exposing either side of any selected or desired sheet. To lock the posts it is only necessary to press their swinging ends downwardly through the openings in the members 28 and 29 between the jaws with the jaws positioned as shown in FIG. 4, which is their normal position. The underlapping ends of the member 21 serve as stops for the posts, see FIG. 4. To release the post all that is necessary is to push downwardly on the intermediate clutch member. This permits rapid insertion or removal of any desired sheet or sheets.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical commercial embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate the various modifications and adaptations which might be desirable for sheets for different purposes, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be required.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, cover members hingedly mounted on the inner edges of said flanges, a post bar having longitudinally spaced holes therein hingedly mounted on one of said flanges at the inner side of the cover hinge thereon, a post member comprising a pair of outwardly curved resiliently bendable posts disposed through said openings in said post bar and @123 provided with a connecting reach at their inner ends disposed on the inner side of the post bar, post retaining members swingably mounted on the inner side of said post bar in retaining and end thrust sustaining relation to the inner ends of said posts, stop members on said back member limiting the inward swinging movement of said post bar, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide post clutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends of said outer and intermediate clutch members and provided with post receiving holes aligned with said coacting clutch jaws thereof, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the underside of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in overlapping relation to the inner ends of said outer clutch members, a retaining member secured to said back member at the inner side of said clutch members and having a laterally projecting flange overhanging the clutch members and provided with post receiving openings aligned with said clutch member jaws and with a central opening, and coil springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members outwardly, the intermediate clutch member being engageable through said central opening for disengaging said clutch members, said clutch members automatically engaging said posts when they are inserted therein.

2. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, cover members hiugedly mounted on the inner edges of said flanges, a post bar hingedly mounted on one of said flanges at the inner side of the cover hinge thereon, laterally spaced outwardly bowed posts mounted on said post bar, post clutch means disposed on tire inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide post, clutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends of said outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide post clutch jaws, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the underside of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in overlapping relation to the inner ends of said outer clutch members, a retaining member secured to said back member at the inner sidev of said clutch members and having a laterally projecting flange overhanging the clutch members and provided with post receiving openings aligned with said clutch member jaws and with a central opening, and coil springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members outwardly, the intermediate clutch member being engageable through said central opening for disengaging said clutch members, said clutch members automatically engaging said posts when they are inserted therein.

3. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, cover members hingedly mounted on the inner edges of said flanges, a post bar having longitudinally spaced holes therein hingedly mounted on one of said flanges at the inner side of the cover hinge thereon, a post member comprising a pair of outwardly curved resiliently bendable posts disposed through said openings in said post bar and provided with a connecting reach at their inner ends disposed on the inner side of the post bar, post retaining members swingably mounted on the inner side of said post bar in retaining and end thrust sustaining relation to the inner ends of said posts, stop members on said back member limiting the inward swinging movement of said post bar, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide post clutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends of said outer and intermediate clutch members and provided with post receiving holes aligned with said coacting clutch jaws thereof, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends the outer clutch members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the underside of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in overlapping relation to the inner cndsof said outer clutch members, and coil springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members outwardly, said clutch members automatically er; aging said posts when they are inserted therein.

4. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, cover members hingedly mounted on the inner edges of said flanges, a post bar hingedly mounted on one of said flanges at the inner side of the cover hinge thereon, laterally spaced outwardly bowed posts mounted on said post bar, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide postclutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends or" said uter and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends coacting to provide post clutch jaws, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the under side of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in overlapping relation to the inner ends of said outer clutch members, and coil springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members outwardly, said clutch members automatically engaging said posts when they are inserted therein.

5. A loose sheet holder comprising a back mem er having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, 21 post bar mounted on one of said flanges, laterally spaced outwardly bowed posts mounted on said post bar, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends providing coacting post clutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends of said outer and intermediate clutch members and provided with post receiving holes aligned with said coacting clutch jaws thereof, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch jaw members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the under side of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in overlapping relation to the inner ends of said outer clutch members, a support member secured to said back member at the inner side of said clutch members and having a laterally projecting flange overhanging the clutch members and provided with post receiving holes aligned with said jaws and with a central opening, and coil springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly, the intermediate clutch member being engageable through said opening for disengag ing said clutch members, said clutch members automatically engaging said post when they are inserted therein.

6. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, a post bar mounted on one of said flanges, laterally spaced outwardly curved resiliently bendable posts mounted on said post bar, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends providing coacting post clutch jaws, blade springs overlapping and connected to adjacent ends of said outer and intermediate clutch members and provided with post receiving holes aligned with said coacting clutch jaws thereof, a support member of upwardly facing channel section disposed on the under side of said intermediate clutch member with its ends in oven-lapping relation to the inner ends of said outer clutch members, and springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly, the intermediate clutch memher being manually manipulatable for disengaging said clutch members, said clutch members automatically engaging said post when they are inserted therein.

7. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, a post bar having longitudinally spaced holes therein hingedly mounted on one of said flanges, a post member comprising a pair of outwardly bowed posts disposed through said openings in said post 'bar and provided with a connecting reach at their inner ends disposed on the inner side of the post bar, post retaining members mounted on the inner side of said post bar in retaining and end thrust sustaining relation to the inner ends of said posts, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising springably connected outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends providing coacting post clutch jaws, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch members in end thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a retaining member for said clutch members secured to said back member at the inner side of said clutch members and having a laterally projecting flange overhanging the clutch members and provided With post receiving openings aligned with said clutch member jaws and with a central opening, and springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly, the intermediate clutch member being engageable through said opening for disengaging said clutch members, said clutch member jaws automatically engaging said post when they are inserted therein.

8. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, laterally spaced outwardly bowed posts swingably mounted on one of said flanges, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising springably connected outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends providing coacting post clutch jaws, retaining members mounted on said back member at the outer ends of the outer clutch members in and thrust and overhanging relation thereto, a retaining member for said clutch members secured to said back member at the inner side of said clutch members and having a laterally projecting flange overhanging the clutch members and provided with post receiving openings aligned with said clutch member jaws and with a central opening, and springs disposed between said back member and the outer clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly, the intermediate clutch member being engageable through said opening for disengaging said clutch members, said clutch member jaws automatically engaging said post when they are inserted therein.

9. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, laterally spaced outwardly bowed posts swingably mounted on one of said flanges, post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising springably connected outer and intermediate clutch members disposed in aligned relation with their adjacent ends providing coacting post clutch jaws, and means for retaining said clutch members in assembled relation on said back member positioned to receive the ends of the posts, and springs disposed between said back member and clutch members and acting to yieldingly urge the clutch members upwardly, said clutch member jaws automatically engaging said post when they are inserted therein.

10. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member having forwardly projecting flanges on its side edges, a post bar hingedly mounted on one of said flanges and having longitudinally spaced holes therein, post members comprising a pair of outwardly bowed posts disposed through holes provided therefor in said post bar and with which said posts have substantial fitting engagement, said posts having a connecting reach on their inner ends disposed on the inner side of said post bar, post retaining members pivotally mounted on the inner side of said post bar and having swingable ends adjustable to and from supporting engagement With said connecting reach for said posts, and manually releasable clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising clutches spaced to correspond to the spacing of the posts and automatically engageable therewith when the posts are inserted endwise therein.

11. A loose sheet holder comprising a back member, a post bar hingedly mounted on said back member and having laterally spaced holes therein, laterally spaced outwardly curved posts disposed through said holes in said post bar, said posts having a connecting reach on their inner ends disposed on the inner side of said post bar, post retaining members swingably mounted on the inner side of said post bar in overlapping and thrust supporting engagement with said connecting reach for said posts, and post clutch means disposed on the inner side of the other back member flange and comprising coacting pairs of clutches spaced to receive the ends of the posts and automatically engaging the posts when the posts are manually inserted endwise therebetween, said clutch means including a manually actuated member for simultaneously releasing both of said clutch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 842,361 Wagniere Jan. 29, 1907 1,331,588 Shields Feb. 24, 1920 2,265,822 Spalding Dec. 9, 1941 2,791,220 McBee May 7, 1957 

